Arsenal leading race for £19m defender and eye Thomas Partey partner

Arsenal Speak to Yves Bissouma Representatives Over Summer Deal

Widely reported since last summer is the growing interest from Arsenal in Yves Bissouma. The Brighton enforcer quietly goes about his business on the south coast but the noises surrounding his future are anything but.

From links with Liverpool to learning he is an Arsenal fan, the regular updates on his future are gravitating their way towards a move to north London. Which, again, rests on where Arteta’s side finish up this season.

Unlike other potential midfield targets such as André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Brighton will be able to command a large fee for Bissouma even if they are relegated from the Premier League. The Malian does not have a relegation clause written into his contract.

As previously reported, Bissouma is open to the idea of leaving the Seagulls and would welcome a move to north London at the end of the campaign. Arsenal are in dire need of central midfield reinforcements with just five currently on the books, one of whom is only on loan while two others are likely to leave the club in the summer.

Bissouma has a growing reputation as one of the finer holding midfielders in the division even with Brighton’s current struggles, and Arteta adoration for the African has seen him listed as one of the the club’s top targets.

The N’Dicka move? Best forget. A move for Bissouma? Speculation is only going to increase.